Hiking Rules and Hiking Hints

Planning the hike

Plan the hike according to your fitness, hiking experience and time of year. If you do not know the terrain or area then it is advisable to use a hiking guide. In a hiking guide you will not only find suggested tours and walking times but also a classification of the hikes according to their challenge.

For planning and also for orientation during the hike you will need a hiking map. Leaflets or booklets as well as panorama maps are not proper maps, because they are too imprecise. Hiking maps usually come in scales of 1:25000 - 1:50000.

You should obtain information about the weatherforecast, opening times of mountain huts and trails.

Also the right equipment is important, because in the mountains the weather may change anytime and very quick from good to bad. Also pay attention to your footwear and wear a pair of hiking boots (sport and running shoes are not proper footwear for hiking!).

Although we try our best to offer correct statements and verify the information we do not take any responsibility for the correctness of the information on our websites.

Hiking equipment

For one day hikes from spring to autumn a rucksack with a capacity of approx. 35 l should be sufficient. You should put at least the following equipment on your packing list:

• warm pullover or fleece jacket, warm cap and gloves: always remember that the weather can change quickly and turn cold and rainy.
• mountain jacket (ideal: made from Goretex)
• T-Shirt with long and T-Shirt with short sleeves (ideal: made from Transtex) to change
• hiking socks
• mountain- or trekking trousers and shorts
• hiking boots (no sport shoes!)
• cap and possibly a bandana (sun protection for your neck)
• sun cream
• toilet paper and tissues
• pocket lamp (ideal: headlamp)
• swiss army knife
• first aid box (possibly drugs you need)
• bottle(s) for 1,5 - 2 l liquid (easiest: PET-bottle(s))
• snack box
• hiking map
• sewing kit and possibly adhesive tape (Leukoplast)
• camera and possibly cell phone

Many people use hiking sticks. The opinions for their use differ. Pro: your knees will get relieved when walking downhill. Contra: your sense of balance for going on mountain trails will deteriorate.

In our opinion also a bivouac bag should be in your rucksack. Not only as emergency accomodation but also to protect an injured person from cold and rain.

If you are going to hike more than one day you will need an appropriate bigger rucksack (approx. 45 - 50 l). Beside your personal things like tooth brush, towel and underwear you will need also more clothes to change. Furthermore you need to pack shoes and a sleeping bag for mountain huts if you are going to stay overnight in a mountain hut.

If you are hiking in winter additional equipment may be necessary (like thermos bottle, avalanche shovel, etc.)

During the hike

Pace yourself well for the day. It is better to walk continuos at a constant slower pace than to start fast and become exhausted early.

Especially on hot days it is important to drink regularly. Water is best. Avoid beverages which contain sugar because they effect your level of blood sugar negatively. Instead of water you may use carbohydrate drinks charged with minerals, as used in endurance sports (pay attention that mostly long chained carbohydrates are contained).

Stay on the marked trails for the protection of the alpine flora and avoid unnecessary noise, which threatens the animals living in the mountains. Enjoy the peace of nature.

All alpine plants are protected and it is not allowed to pick them. Further notice that in italy collecting mushrooms is also strictly regularized and violations are punished with considerable fines (Note: picking mushrooms is illegal throughout the territory of Ortisei).

Keep the landscape tidy and take your waste back down.